Recent findings

Screening for prostate cancer has been demonstrated to reduce mortality, although with a high number needed to treat. One approach to this problem is to offer patients with favorable risk disease an initial conservative approach, with close monitoring

and treatment for those patients who are reclassified as higher risk over time. Much preclinical data indicates that Gleason 6 prostate cancer does not carry the hallmarks of malignancy. However, a number of recent studies have demonstrated that in patients diagnosed with favorable risk prostate cancer (Gleason 6 or less, prostate-specific GNS-1480 purchase antigen < 10), about 30% will harbor higher grade cancer and benefit from treatment. These patients are identifiable by a combination of repeat biopsy, serial prostate-specific antigen, and in borderline cases, multiparametric MRI.

Summary

Active surveillance is a powerful solution to the problem TPX-0005 molecular weight of overdiagnosis and overtreatment associated with screening for prostate cancer. For the 40-50% of patients with favorable risk prostate cancer, it offers the benefit of personalized medicine, avoiding

treatment and related quality-of-life effects altogether in the majority, and providing definitive management for the minority who are reclassified with higher risk disease over time.”
“Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is a fungal pathogen that is a serious health threat to immunocompromised individuals. Upon environmental exposure, infectious fungal propagules are inhaled into the host’s lungs. The anticryptococcal

actions of alveolar macrophages (AM), the predominant host phagocyte of the innate immune system in the lungs, are fundamental in determining whether containment and clearance of the pathogen occurs by the development of an adapted immune response or whether infection is established and progresses to disease. However, the fungus is also capable of surviving the antimicrobial actions of AM and exploits these host phagocytes to establish infection and exacerbate disease. In addition, there is evidence suggesting that cryptococcosis may occur following reactivation of latent cryptococcal infection. Currently, the role of AM and the fungal factors contributing to latent cryptococcosis are unknown. This review examines the AM-Cn interaction and how it affects the development of pulmonary disease with a focus p38 MAPK activity on host and pathogen factors enabling latency to occur.”
“This short communication describes the delayed onset of premature ovarian failure (POF) in some young patients, between 5 to 24 months after operative laparoscopy for ovarian endometriosis. This complication apparently does not have a link with traditional risk factors for POF. In view of this observation, further and consistent clinical investigations are necessary to seek an explanation for this possible iatrogenic effect, which is of particular concern to young patients who are referred for video laparoscopy as a treatment for ovarian endometriosis.